Takeya Nakamura hit his 20th homer in his 55th game of the year. That's faster than when he won the home run title in 2008 with 46 homer (20th homer came in his 81st game) and faster than when he hit a career high 48 homers in 2009 (20th homer in 61st game). In fact, 55 games is the quickest he's gotten to 20 homers in his career.

Saito also spent some time signing autographs near the third base infield seats after practice.

Chiba Lotte Marines

Masato Watanabe hit an inside-the-park homer tonight and became the first player in the PL to hit one since Yasuyuki Kataoka on 5/14/2009 (and the first player in either league since Yoshiyuki Kamei on 8/1/2009 and the first Lotte player since Shunichi Nemoto on 7/11/2008).

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The Chiba Lotte Marines announced that team player's association vice president Shoitsu Omatsuwas becoming the representative president. This after the president, Saburo, was traded away to the Yomiuri Giants last month.

Rakuten Eagles

Darrell Rasner returned to the active roster yesterday and made his first NPB appearance as a reliever (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 R, 0 ER) and picked up a win. He also pitched again today (1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 R, 0 ER) and recorded his first career NPB save.